Prehistoric, Anglo-Saxon and Post-Medieval remains on land at Hazel End, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. Archaeological Evaluation

Between 30th August and 7th September 2012 Oxford Archaeology East conducted an archaeological evaluation on 36ha of arable land at Hazel End Road on the outskirts of Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. Prior to evaluation a desk-based assessment, geophysical and aerial survey were carried out on behalf of the client. The evaluation consisted of 41 machine excavated trenches across two areas. Most trenches measured between 50m and 100m in length, all orientated roughly north-east to south-west and north-west to south-east. There were 36 trenches investigated on land on the west side of Hazel End Road and 4 trenches on the east. Trenching on the west side of Hazel End Road revealed evidence of Neolithic flint working from residual worked flints recovered from features across the site, an Early Bronze Age boundary marker with ring ditch and central post, Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age ditches, fenceline and storage pits, an undated trackway and Post-Medieval quarrying. On the east side, a significant 6th-7th century pottery assemblage from a shallow feature in one trench indicates the possible presence of nearby settlement.